Racecards
14:10 Cheltenham
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £14,000 added
- Winner: £8,758
- 2nd: £2,587
- 3rd: £1,294
- 4th: £647
- Form 447111-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, no impression on winner
- Form 46-1213
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
led, not fluent 4th, clear 6th until mistake next, hit 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened from next
- Form 052-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey A E Lynch
tracked leader, jumped slightly right, led 3 out, kept on well flat, comfortably
- Form 1-1121F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer Tim Vaughan
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, hit 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next
- Form 130-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey A P McCoy
held up in 5th, took keen hold, hit 2nd, not fluent 8th, headway when mistake 3 out, went 3rd before next, no impression last
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
There will almost certainly be plenty of Irish winners at Cheltenham over the coming months and SIZING SYMPHONY can get the raiders off to a succesful start in this opener. Henry De Bromhead's five-year-old had five previous winners behind when scoring at Fairyhouse last month and should continue on an upward curve. Having previously proved disappointing, Bold Addition ended last term in sparkling form and was completing a hat-trick over C&D in April. He should be winning again soon but Oasis Knight's form looks some way below the required standard and Tim Vaughan's pair, Jive Master and The Big Freeze, also appear to have plenty to find. Bumper winner Peckhamecho is being thrown in at the deep end over timber.
Formwatch
Bold Addition (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Held up, switched to inside and closed after 2 out, challenged going well approaching last, soon led, ran on well to come clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr beating Bottman (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, jumped slowly and ridden 7th, reluctant from 3 out, not run on last, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Midnight Fun (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Sizing Symphony (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Sep beating Pickapocketortwo (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Jive Master (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Prominent, challenged after 6th, soon led, ridden and joined when fell 2 out, in a race won by Lady Karinga (10-5) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 6 ran.
Peckhamecho (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, took keen hold, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 18th of 20, well behind Steps To Freedom (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gd in Apr.
The Big Freeze (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Got loose before start, led until after 4th, led next, jumped right 3 out, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Fintan (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.